Solenoid Controlled Valve Assembly including a Poppet and Diaphragm

ABSTRACT

A proportional solenoid-controlled fluid valve assembly having a fluid pressure balancing arrangement includes a poppet and diaphragm. The valve assembly also includes a solenoid coil assembly having a cylindrical conduit and a magnetic orifice piece positioned within the conduit. A plunger is positioned within the conduit and is movable within the conduit between a de-actuated position and an actuated position. A valve poppet is provided having a top cylindrical upstanding portion and a poppet face configured to abut the valve seat. Further, a diaphragm is positioned within the valve base with the top cylindrical upstanding portion of the poppet extending through a diaphragm opening. A magnetic frame is also included for securing the valve assembly in an assembled configuration, wherein a magnetic path is formed by magnetic orifice piece, plunger and the magnetic frame and the solenoid coil is configured to be actuated such that the plunger moves towards the magnetic orifice piece, thus lifting the poppet and allowing pressurized media to pass from the inlet port to the outlet port.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates in general to solenoid-actuated fluidcontrol valves for use in fluid flow regulation systems, such as thosethat require precise control of the rate of fluid flow, including butnot limited to pneumatic and hydraulic regulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is an assembled cross-sectional view of a pressure balancingvalve.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the pressure balancing valve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the pressure balancingvalve of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective front, perspective back,cross-sectional, and top views of a valve base.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top and cross-sectional views of a valve poppet.

FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective, side and cross-sectional views of plunger.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are top and cross-sectional views of a diaphragm.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective and cross-sectional views of asolenoid assembly having a bobbin and solenoid coil. FIGS. 7C and 7Dillustrate perspective and cross-sectional views of a bobbin withoutsolenoid coil attached.

FIGS. 8A-8B are side and cross-sectional views of a magnetic top piece.

FIGS. 9A-9B are perspective and side views of a magnetic frame.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an isolation valve assembly 210.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are additional embodiments of a pressure balancing valve310 and isolation valve 410.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are side and cross-sectional views of an alternatebobbin configuration.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a split ring.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate cross-sectional and exploded views of anadditional embodiment of a valve assembly 510 with a modified adjustmentscrew and frame.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are enlarged perspective and side views of anadjustment screw.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective and side views of a frame.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of a valveassembly 610.

FIGS. 20a and 20b are side and cross-sectional views of a bobbin with acoil winding of valve assembly 610.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of valve assembly 610 showing air gaps inthe assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A proportional solenoid-controlled fluid valve assembly having a fluidpressure balancing arrangement according to the embodiments describedherein is designed such that balancing and sealing are achieved with apoppet and diaphragm. The valve assembly includes a valve base having anupper cavity forming an annular ledge, a fluid inlet port and an outletport with an internal passageway and interior valve cavity therebetween, with the internal passageway terminating at a valve seat. Thevalve assembly also includes a solenoid coil assembly having acylindrical conduit and a magnetic orifice piece positioned within theconduit. A plunger is positioned within the conduit and is movablewithin the conduit between a de-actuated position and an actuatedposition. A valve poppet is provided having a top cylindrical upstandingportion and a poppet face configured to abut the valve seat. Further,the valve assembly includes a diaphragm having a top side, a bottomside, an outer annular flange portion, and an inner annular flangeterminating at a diaphragm opening, said diaphragm being positionedwithin valve base with said outer annular flange portion abutting theledge of the valve base and the top cylindrical upstanding portion ofthe poppet extending through the diaphragm opening. A magnetic frame isalso included for securing the valve assembly in an assembledconfiguration, wherein a magnetic path is formed by magnetic orificepiece, plunger and the magnetic frame and the solenoid coil isconfigured to be actuated such that the plunger moves towards themagnetic orifice piece, thus lifting the poppet and allowing pressurizedmedia to pass from the inlet port to the outlet port.

In some embodiments, the plunger includes a fluid flow passageway formedtherein and the poppet includes a fluid flow passageway formed thereinto allow pressurized media from the inlet port to pass to the top sideof the diaphragm and fill a cavity around the plunger, wherein thediaphragm acts as a pressure balance to balance a force that is exertedon the poppet from the pressurized media from the inlet port and a forcethat is exerted on the top of the diaphragm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The valve assemblies described in the present disclosure areproportional solenoid-controlled fluid valves having a fluid pressurebalancing arrangement designed such that balancing and sealing areachieved with a poppet and diaphragm. Valves described in the presentdisclosure are designed to be easy to assemble and use fewer fastenersand threaded members. Fewer parts and lower wattage are required toachieve the valve function as compared with other valves. In operation,a force results from the pressure acting on a bottom side of the poppetis balanced by a force resulting from pressure acting on a top side ofthe diaphragm. Due to proper force balancing, the solenoid may operateat low wattage as it only has to overcome a spring force. The componentsand mechanisms of pressure balancing valve 10 are described in detailbelow.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of valve assembly 10. FIG. 2A is anexploded view of valve assembly 10 and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of aportion of valve assembly 10 showing radial gaps. Valve assembly 10includes a valve vase 15, a plunger 20, a valve poppet 25, a diaphragm30, a solenoid coil assembly 35, a top pole piece 40, a ring 45, amagnetic frame 50, a spring 55, an adjustment screw 60, and one or moreO-rings 65. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, valve assembly 10 allowspressurized media from a fluid inlet port 108 to pass through interiorvalve bore 110, thereby exerting pressure on a bottom of valve poppet 25towards a hole in poppet 25 and plunger 20. This allows the pressurizedmedia from inlet port 108 to pass to the top side of diaphragm 30,filing a cavity around plunger 20. In this case, diaphragm 30 acts as apressure balance, balancing the force that is exerted on poppet 25 duethe pressurized media passing through orifice 111 and the force that isexerted on top of the diaphragm 30. The balancing diaphragm 30 acts suchthat the solenoid coil requires less energy to actuate, allowing it tooperate at very low wattage. When a solenoid coil of solenoid coilassembly 35 is actuated, plunger 20 is attracted towards the top polepiece 40 and moves to close air gap 199 by overcoming the bias of spring55, thus lifting poppet 25 which, in turn, allows the pressurized mediato pass from inlet port 108 to outlet port 102. Top pole piece 40includes a disk-shaped rim portion 185 extending outwardly therefrom anda top extension 202 for fitting within a slot of magnetic frame 40 tosecure the valve assembly 10 and prevent rotation.

As illustrated by the exploded view shown in FIG. 2A, valve assembly canbe assembled by attaching poppet 25 and diaphragm 30 to plunger 20.Poppet 25, diaphragm 30, and plunger 20 are then placed into a cavity113 of valve base 15 such that an outer portion of diaphragm 30 contactsa cavity annular ledge 115. Ring 45 is then placed over plunger 20 suchthat ring 45 contacts a top side of diaphragm 30. A bobbin 36 ofsolenoid coil assembly (coil not shown) is then placed over plunger 20and ring 45. Top pole piece 40 is then inserted into bobbin 36 and anadjustment screw 60 is inserted to help secure the assembly. Magneticframe 50 is then attached to secure the valve assembly in an assembledconfiguration.

The components of valve assembly 10 will be described in detail withrespect to FIGS. 3A-9B. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective front,perspective back, cross-sectional, and top views of valve base 15. Valvebase 15 may be formed of plastic, aluminum, machined steel, or the likeand includes a fluid input port 102 and fluid exit port 108. Withinvalve base 15, fluid inlet port 108 is coupled to an interior valvecavity 106. Fluid exit port 108 is coupled to a first generallycylindrical interior valve bore 110 that extends to a valve orifice 111,which is surrounded by a generally circular valve seat 112. Valveorifice 111 of interior valve bore 110 opens into interior valve cavity106 in which a valve poppet 25 is retained. Valve base 15 also includesa cavity 113 connected to interior valve cavity 106 by a connectingchannel 114. Cavity 113 forms an annular ledge 115. Valve base 15includes a top end 116 a, a bottom end 116 b, a port side 116 c and aback side 116 d having apertures 117 a formed therein. Apertures 117 bare also provided on port side 116 c. Further, slots 118 are formedwithin port side 116 c and back side 116 d of valve base 15 adjacent totop end 116 a to allow for insertion of magnetic frame 50. An annularopening 119 is also formed within end 116 a of valve base 15.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top and cross-sectional views of valve poppet 25.Materials used for forming valve poppet include elastomeric materials.As shown in FIG. 4B, valve poppet 25 includes a generally steppedcylindrical body having a top cylindrical upstanding portion 120 with aninwardly tapered end 122, a stepped ledge portion 124 and a lower flangeportion 126 which terminates at a lower generally circular poppet face130. Poppet face 130 has an annular depression 132, into which a fluidtight annular sealing ring 134, such as an annular shaped elastomericring, may be present. Sealing ring 134 is sized to cover and therebyseal valve poppet 25 against valve seat 116. Valve poppet 25 alsoincludes interior axial bore 136. Cylindrical upstanding portion 120 isgenerally sized to engage with plunger 20, as will be described below.

Perspective, side and cross-sectional views of plunger 20 are shown inFIGS. 5A-5C. Plunger 20 includes a first end 140 and a second end 142with a generally cylindrical side wall 143 having a narrowed cylindricalsection 144 and ledge 145 formed at first end 140. Second end includesan aperture 146 leading to a fluid passageway 147 and a side port 148,which terminates at a side opening 149 of formed in cylindrical sidewall 143.

Top and cross-sectional views of diaphragm 30 are shown in FIGS. 6A and6B. Diaphragm 30 is formed from an elastomeric material and includes anouter annular flange portion 150, an annular generally U-shaped portion1.52, and an inner annular flange 154, which terminates at a diaphragmopening 156. Diaphragm 30 also generally includes a top side 157 and abottom side 158. During assembly of valve 10, diaphragm 30 is positionedwithin valve base 15 such that annular rim 150 of diaphragm 30 contactsledge 115 of valve base 15. Generally U-shaped portion 152 of diaphragm30 extends downwardly through connecting channel 114 towards interiorvalve cavity 106. Inner annular flange 154 stepped ledge portion 124 ofpoppet 25 and top cylindrical upstanding portion 120 of poppet 25extends through diaphragm opening 156.

Coil assembly 35 is shown in FIGS. 7A-7D. In particular, FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate perspective and cross-sectional views of coil assembly 35having a bobbin 161 and coil 162. FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate perspectiveand cross-sectional views, respectively, of bobbin 161 without solenoidcoil attached. Bobbin 161 includes a top cylindrical flange 163 and abottom cylindrical flange 164 connected by a cylindrical conduit 165with a though hole 166 therein. Bottom cylindrical flange 164 includesan inward stepped portion 167 for engaging top annular opening 119 ofvalve base 15. Cylindrical conduit 165 includes an extension 168extending downward from bottom cylindrical flange 164 for extending intovalve base 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B.

As shown in side and cross-sectional views in FIGS. 8A-8B, respectively,valve assembly 10 further includes a fixed magnetic top piece 40positioned over plunger 20. In general, magnetic orifice piece 40 ismade of a ferromagnetic material and is cylindrically shaped with anouter surface 170 and bore 171 formed therein, which extends from a topend 173 to a bottom end 174. Bore 171 includes a lower portion 176, anintermediate width middle portion 177, and a wider upper portion 178.Outer surface 170 includes a groove 179 formed therein for receiving anO-ring 65, as shown in FIG. 1. Magnetic top piece 40 also includes adownwardly extending bottom rim 181 having a slanted outer edge 182 anda disk-shaped rim portion 185 extending outwardly from top end 173.Bottom rim 181 of magnetic top piece 40 is sized to fit over narrowedcylindrical section 144 of plunger 20. In an assembled configuration,disk-shaped rim portion 185 is positioned between top cylindrical flange163 of bobbin 161 and magnetic frame 50.

A flux conductor or magnetic frame 50 is provided to complete valveassembly 10. As illustrated in detail in perspective and side views inFIGS. 9A-9B, respectively, magnetic frame 50 has a unitary generallyC-shape construction. In particular, magnetic frame 50 includes a topsection 190, a bottom section 191, and a side section 192. Top section190 includes an elongated opening 194 formed therein. A notch 195 mayalso be formed within a lower surface of top section 195. Projections196 bend at notch 195 perpendicularly from top section 190 to securemagnetic frame 50 to valve assembly 10. Bottom section 191 also includesan elongated opening 197 forming prongs 198 for engaging slots 118 inbase section 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2B, a ring 45 is also provided to secure theassembly of valve 10 and to sandwich diaphragm 30 between ring 45 andvalve base 15. Ring 45 is formed of a magnetic material and serves dualpurposes. Ring 45 provides an additional magnetic radial path betweenplunger 20 and frame 50 and also functions as a spacer between frame 50and coil assembly 35 to hold diaphragm 30 in place.

With reference to FIG. 2B, the fixed magnetic top piece 40, axiallymovable plunger 20, frame 50, and ring 45 are made of magneticmaterials. Plunger 20 and top piece 40 are placed in such a way that anair gap 199 exists between them. A magnetic path is formed by top piece40, plunger 20 and frame 50. Spring 55 is used as a biasing member. Whensolenoid coil 162 is actuated, plunger 20 is attracted towards the toppiece 40 and plunger 20 moves to close air gap 99 against spring 55,thus lifting poppet 25 which, in turn, allows the pressurized media topass from inlet port 108 to outlet port 102. In particular, whensolenoid coil 162 is energized, a magnetic field goes around fluxconductor or magnetic frame 50 so the magnetic field comes through ring45 and jumps a thin radial air gap 201. After the magnetic field jumpsthin radial air gap 201 it goes around magnetic frame 50 and makescontact between magnetic frame 50 and magnetic top piece 40 so themagnetic field comes through magnetic top piece 40 and then jumps an airgap 199 between magnetic top piece 40 and plunger 20. The magnetic fieldthen flows through plunger 20, thereby creating a magnetic force thatpulls plunger 20 towards magnetic top piece and compresses spring 55.Depending on the intensity or strength of coil 162, the position ofplunger 20 can be held in various positions thus controlling the flowbetween inlet port 108 and outlet port 102. Poppet 25 is connected toplunger 20 so that when plunger 20 is pulled towards magnetic top piece40, poppet 25 is lifted off the valve seat.

As shown in FIG. 1, poppet 25 is seated on top of valve seat 112 overorifice 111 when valve 10 is in a de-actuated state, so that the mediafrom inlet port 108 is prevented from passing to outlet port 102. Frame50 holds together all the parts of valve 10, thus eliminating the needof an additional member to hold the complete assembly. Diaphragm 30, asshown, is sandwiched between plunger 20 and poppet 25, separating thefluid path in valve base 15 and an area above diaphragm 30. One side ofthe diaphragm rests on the valve base orifice 111 and is held in placeby bobbin 161 and ring 45, when frame 50 is inserted in place. Topsection 190 of frame 50 rests on disk-shaped rim portion 185 and securesa top extension 202 of top piece 40 within slot 194 to further securethe valve assembly 10.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10, is an isolation valve assembly 210wherein a poppet 225 and plunger 200 are solid and do not include fluidflow apertures therein. Each of the remaining components of valveassembly 210 is consistent with the components described in connectionwith valve assembly 10 and will not be separately described. Whenpressurized media is acted on inlet port 108, the forces acted on thebottom of the diaphragm 30 seated on orifice valve seat 112 need to bebalanced by the spring force to prevent poppet 25 from lifting off valveseat 112. Diaphragm 30 serves in isolating the media from enteringinterior valve cavity 106. When valve 210 is actuated, plunger 20 isattracted towards top pole 40, against the spring, and poppet 25 islifted off valve seat 112, thereby allowing the media to pass from inletport 108 to outlet port 102 confining the media in interior valve cavity106.

An additional embodiment of a pressure balancing valve 310 is shown inFIG. 11 and an addition embodiment of an isolation valve 410 is shown inFIG. 12. Each of pressure balancing valve 310 and isolation valve 410include an alternate bobbin 336 and a split ring 345. The remainingcomponents of pressure balancing valve assembly 310 are equivalent tothe components described in connection with valve assembly 10.Similarly, the remaining components of isolation valve assembly 410 areequivalent to the components described in connection with isolationvalve assembly 210.

Side and cross-sectional views of alternate bobbin 336 are shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B, in connection with a solenoid coil assembly 335including a coil 362. Bobbin 336 includes a top cylindrical flange 363and a bottom cylindrical flange 370 connected by a cylindrical conduit365 with a though hole 337 therein. Cylindrical conduit 365 includes anextension 368 extending downward towards an engagement flange 370 forextending into valve base 15. Engagement flange 370 is sandwichedbetween a top surface of diaphragm 30 and a bottom surface of split ring345, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

An enlarged perspective view of split ring 345, including first andsecond halves 345 a and 345 b, is shown in FIG. 14. Split ring 345inserted in above engagement flange 370 of bobbin 336. The split ring345 serves dual purposes. Split ring 345 provides an additional magneticradial path between the plunger and the frame and also functions as aspacer between the frame 50 and bobbin 336 to hold diaphragm 30 inplace.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate cross-sectional and exploded views of anadditional embodiment of a valve assembly 510 with a modified adjustmentscrew 560, magnetic top piece 540 with a flat top end 542, and magneticframe 550. The remaining components of pressure balancing valve assembly510 are equivalent to the components described in connection with valveassembly 310, as shown in FIG. 11. However, it should be understood thatalternate embodiments of bobbin and ring may be employed in valveassembly 510. Further, valve assembly 510 may be adapted to be anisolation valve similar to valve 410. Enlarged perspective and sideviews of the adjustment screw 560 are shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B.Adjustment screw includes shown as a generally cylindrical body with atop slit 562 to allow for tightening of the screw and includes a bottomend 564, a bottom flange 565 and extension 567 for engaging spring 55. Aseal or gasket 568 may be positioned in a gap 570 between bottom end 564and bottom flange 565, as shown in FIG. 15.

Perspective and side views of the frame 550 are shown in FIGS. 18A and18B. The frame has a solid top surface that covers and contains magnetictop piece 540, which has a flat top end rather than an extension, as inprevious embodiments. Magnetic frame 550 has a unitary generally C-shapeconstruction. In particular, magnetic frame 550 includes a top section590, a bottom section 591, and a side section 592. A notch 595 may alsobe formed within a lower surface of top section 590. Projections 596bend at notch 595 perpendicularly from top section 590 to secure fluxconductor or magnetic frame 550 to valve assembly 510. Bottom section591 also includes an elongated opening 597 forming prongs 598 forengaging slots 118 in valve base 15.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of a valveassembly 610. FIGS. 20a and 20b are side and cross-sectional views of asolenoid coil assembly 635 used in connection with valve assembly 610.Each of the remaining components of valve assembly 610 is consistentwith the components described in connection with valve assembly 10.Bobbin 636 includes a top cylindrical flange 663 and a bottomcylindrical flange 664 connected by a cylindrical conduit 665 with athough hole 667 therein. Bottom cylindrical flange 664 includes aninward stepped portion 669 for engaging top annular opening 119 of valvebase 15. Cylindrical conduit 665 includes an extension 668 extendingdownward from bottom cylindrical flange 664 to a retaining flange 670for extending into valve base 15 and retaining diaphragm 30 in place.Retaining flange 670 is sandwiched between a top surface of diaphragm 30and a section of magnetic frame 50, as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of valve assembly 610showing that radial gap is maintained between magnetic frame 50 andplunger 20. An air gap 199 is also shown between plunger 20 and top polepiece 40.

Although the embodiments in the disclosure have been described primarilywith reference to several specific embodiments, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that the valve and the componentsthereof can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

We claim:
 1. A valve assembly comprising: a valve base including anupper cavity forming an annular ledge, a fluid inlet port and an outletport with an internal passageway and interior valve cavity therebetween, said internal passageway terminating at a valve seat; asolenoid coil assembly including a bobbin, having a cylindrical conduit,and a solenoid coil; a magnetic orifice piece positioned within theconduit and having a tube like body portion with a first end and asecond end, a rim portion, and an bore formed there through; a plungerpositioned within the conduit and being movable within the conduitbetween a de-actuated position and an actuated position; valve poppethaving a top cylindrical upstanding portion and a poppet face configuredto abut the valve seat; a diaphragm having a top side, a bottom side, anouter annular flange portion, and an inner annular flange terminating ata diaphragm opening, said diaphragm being positioned within valve basewith said outer annular flange portion abutting the ledge of the valvebase and the top cylindrical upstanding portion of the poppet extendingthrough the diaphragm opening; and a magnetic frame for securing thevalve assembly in an assembled configuration, wherein a magnetic path isformed by magnetic orifice piece, plunger and the magnetic frame and thesolenoid coil is configured to be actuated such that the plunger movestowards the magnetic orifice piece, thus lifting the poppet and allowingpressurized media to pass from the inlet port to the outlet port.
 2. Thevalve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plunger includes afluid flow passageway formed therein.
 3. The valve assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the poppet includes a fluid flow passageway formedtherein to allow pressurized media from the inlet port to pass to thetop side of the diaphragm and fill a cavity around the plunger, whereinsaid diaphragm acts as a pressure balance to balance a force that isexerted on the poppet from the pressurized media from the inlet port anda force that is exerted on the top of the diaphragm.
 4. The valveassembly according to claim 3, wherein the valve poppet has a steppedcylindrical body with the top cylindrical upstanding portion, a steppedledge portion, and a lower flange portion forming the poppet face. 5.The valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein the diaphragm furtherincludes an annular U-shaped portion extending downwardly towards theinterior valve cavity.
 6. The valve assembly of claim 5, wherein saidbobbin has a top flange and a bottom flange connected by a cylindricalconduit, said cylindrical conduit including an extension projecting fromthe bottom flange for extending into the valve base.
 7. The valveassembly of claim 6, wherein said rim portion of the magnetic orificepiece extends proximate to the first end of the body portion and havinga top side and a bottom side, said body portion of the magnetic orificepiece further includes an upper section extending on a first side of therim portion and an elongated lower portion extending on a second side ofthe rim portion and being positioned within the cylindrical conduit ofthe bobbin with the second side of the rim portion abutting the topflange of the bobbin.
 8. The valve assembly according to claim 7,wherein the plunger includes a first end, a second end, and acylindrical sidewall, said plunger positioned within the conduit of thebobbin such that the first end of the plunger is adjacent to the secondend of the magnetic orifice piece.
 9. The valve assembly according toclaim 8, further comprises a biasing member positioned within the boreof the magnetic orifice piece for biasing the plunger away from themagnetic orifice piece when the solenoid coil is in a de-actuated state.10. The valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the valve assemblyfurther includes a ring positioned on the ledge of the valve base forsecuring the diaphragm within the valve base, said ring being formed ofa magnetic material and configured to provide a magnetic radial pathbetween the plunger and the frame.
 11. The valve assembly according toclaim 10, wherein the magnetic frame has a unitary C-shape constructionwith a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, wherein thebottom section is adapted to slide along the valve base to be securedwithin slots formed in the valve base positioned adjacent to a top endof the valve base.
 12. The valve assembly according to claim 11, whereinthe top section of the magnetic frame engages the upper section of themagnetic orifice piece to further secure and restrict rotation of thevalve assembly.
 13. A valve assembly comprising: a valve base includingan upper cavity forming an annular ledge, a fluid inlet port and anoutlet port with an internal passageway and interior valve cavity therebetween, said internal passageway terminating at a valve seat; asolenoid coil assembly including a bobbin and a solenoid coil, saidbobbin having a top flange and a bottom flange connected by acylindrical conduit, said cylindrical conduit including an extensionprojecting from the bottom flange for extending into the valve base; amagnetic orifice piece having a tube like body portion with a first endand a second end, a rim portion, and an bore formed there through, saidrim portion extending proximate to the first end of the body portion andhaving a top side and a bottom side, said body portion further includingan upper section extending on a first side of the rim portion and anelongated lower portion extending on a second side of the rim portionand being positioned within the cylindrical conduit of the bobbin withthe second side of the rim portion abutting the top flange of thebobbin; a plunger having a first end, a second end, and a cylindricalsidewall, said plunger positioned within the conduit of the bobbin suchthat the first end of the plunger is adjacent to the second end of themagnetic orifice piece, said plunger being movable within the conduitbetween a de-actuated position and an actuated position; valve poppethaving a stepped cylindrical body with a top cylindrical upstandingportion, a stepped ledge portion, and a lower flange portion forming apoppet face, said poppet face being configured to abut the valve seat; adiaphragm having a top side, a bottom side, an outer annular flangeportion, an annular U-shaped portion, and an inner annular flangeterminating at a diaphragm opening, said diaphragm is positioned withinvalve base with said outer annular flange portion abutting the ledge ofthe valve base, said annular U-shaped portion extending downwardlytowards the interior valve cavity, and the inner annular flange abuttingthe stepped ledge portion of the poppet with the top cylindricalupstanding portion of the poppet extending through the diaphragmopening; a ring positioned on the ledge of the valve base for securingthe diaphragm within the valve base; and a magnetic frame for securingthe valve assembly in an assembled configuration, wherein a magneticpath is formed by magnetic orifice piece, plunger and the magnetic frameand the solenoid coil is configured to be actuated such that the plungermoves towards the magnetic orifice piece, thus lifting the poppet andallowing pressurized media to pass from the inlet port to the outletport.
 14. The valve assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plungerincludes a fluid flow passageway formed between said second end and saidsidewall.
 15. The valve assembly according to claim 14, wherein thepoppet includes a fluid flow passageway formed therein to allowpressurized media from the inlet port to pass to the top side of thediaphragm and fill a cavity around the plunger, wherein said diaphragmacts as a pressure balance to balance a force that is exerted on thepoppet from the pressurized media from the inlet port and a force thatis exerted on the top of the diaphragm.
 16. The valve assembly of claim13 wherein the ring is formed of a magnetic material is configured toprovide a magnetic radial path between the plunger and the frame. 17.The valve assembly according to claim 13, further comprises a biasingmember positioned within the bore of the magnetic orifice piece forbiasing the plunger away from the magnetic orifice piece when thesolenoid coil is in a de-actuated state.
 18. The valve assemblyaccording to claim 17, wherein a radial air gap exists between saidplunger and said magnetic orifice piece.
 19. The valve assemblyaccording to claim 13, wherein the magnetic frame has a unitary C-shapeconstruction with a top section, a bottom section, and a side section,wherein the bottom section is adapted to slide along the valve base tobe secured within slots formed in the valve base positioned adjacent toa top end of the valve base.
 20. The valve assembly of claim 19, whereinthe top section of the magnetic frame engages the upper section of themagnetic orifice piece to secure and restrict rotation of the valveassembly.